Mastering Training and Facilitation – Tips from a Leadership Expert

Hey everyone! I am excited to announce the latest episode of Lead with Levity podcast show where we dive into the world of leadership training and development. In this episode, we explore the importance of experiential learning, reflective dialogue, and the power of gratitude in facilitating impactful trainings with our very special guest, Dr. Jonathan Kroll.

Here are my top three takeaways from this episode:

Experiential learning is key– As trainers, it’s not enough to simply share information with our participants. We need to create experiences that allow them to internalize and apply their learning in real-world situations. This can include activities such as role play, case studies, and games, as well as reflective dialogue to help participants process their experiences.

Gratitude is a game-changer– As trainers, we have the power to set the tone for our training environment and create a culture of gratitude and positivity. By taking time to acknowledge and appreciate our participants, we can create a safe and supportive space that encourages growth and learning.

The training bubble is just the beginning – Our ultimate goal as trainers is to help our participants apply their learning beyond the training environment. This means equipping them with the tools and skills they need to make meaningful change in their work and personal lives. By focusing on experiential learning and gratitude, we can help participants internalize their learning and take action long after the training is over.

Overall, this episode was a great reminder of the power of experiential learning and the importance of creating a supportive and positive training environment. I highly recommend giving it a listen and incorporating these strategies into your own training and development work. Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review.

Training is an essential tool in every organization’s toolkit, yet many of us have been there: You’re in a training session, pouring your heart into explaining a concept or teaching a skill, only to see participants disengaged—checking emails, multitasking, or zoning out. It’s disheartening, but it doesn’t have to be this way.

In a recent Lead with Levity podcast episode, Dr. Heather Walker sat down with Dr. Jonathan Kroll, Executive Director of Leadership Trainer, to unpack how to create training that sticks, engages, and excites. If you’ve ever wondered how to make your training sessions more effective and fun, this conversation is for you.

Why Training Falls Flat

Most trainers and facilitators don’t receive formal training on how to teach. As Dr. Kroll observed, many of us rely on:

• Trial and error.
• Watching others and mimicking their methods.
• Using dense slide decks and lecture-style presentations.

These methods often fail to create the engaging, transformative experiences participants need to apply learning beyond the session.

The Key to Great Training: Experiential Learning

Dr. Kroll’s secret weapon is experiential learning, which shifts the focus from lecturing to doing. In this approach:

1. Participants engage with activities—from role plays to case studies to interactive exercises—that allow them to explore training concepts in a hands-on way.
2. Reflective dialogue follows, where participants discuss and internalize the lessons they’ve learned.

“It’s through these reflective moments that the real learning happens,” Dr. Kroll explains. “The activity is just the access point.”

Common Training Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Here are three pitfalls that can derail your training—and solutions to overcome them:

1. Filling the Silence

When participants don’t respond immediately, trainers often panic and fill the void with more questions or commentary. This can overwhelm participants and condition them to remain passive.

Solution: Embrace the pause. Give participants time to reflect and respond. Dr. Kroll recommends scaling engagement:

• Start with individual reflection.
• Move to small group discussions.
• Transition to full-group sharing.

2. Overloading Participants with Information

Experts often struggle to distill their knowledge, leading to lengthy, dense presentations. This can leave participants feeling overwhelmed and disengaged.

Solution: Focus on fewer key points and tie everything to clear learning objectives. Use interactive methods like games, scenarios, and role plays to bring concepts to life.

3. Weak Conclusions

Rushing through the end of a training or skipping a conclusion leaves participants without clear takeaways or action items.

Solution: Wrap up with:

• A summary of key takeaways.
• Reflection questions like, “What will you do next?” or “What’s one thing you’ll remember?”
• Expressions of gratitude to leave participants with a positive feeling.

Injecting Fun into Your Sessions

Fun isn’t just for kids—it’s an essential ingredient in adult learning. According to Dr. Kroll:

• Gamify your sessions: Add lighthearted activities that encourage collaboration and laughter.
• Leverage humor: Share relatable stories or jokes that connect with your audience.
• Encourage play: Interactive exercises can spark joy and leave lasting impressions.

Empowering Trainers with Confidence

One challenge trainers often face is fear—fear of losing control, looking silly, or not being taken seriously. Dr. Kroll emphasizes the importance of reframing these fears:

• View training as a partnership with participants, where power and authority are shared.
• Focus on creating a “holding environment” where participants feel safe to explore and contribute.
• Use open-ended questions and purposeful pauses to foster meaningful dialogue.

About Jonathan Kroll, PhD

Jonathan is a leadership educator and entrepreneur. He began his career as a university administrator by focusing on leadership development, community engagement, and reflection initiatives.

He has co-founded two leadership training businesses in addition to Leadership Trainer, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that specializes in trainer preparation and facilitator up-skilling.

Jonathan is an Assistant Teaching Professor and Program Director for the Professional Leadership Studies program at the University of Rhode Island.

Over the last decade, Jonathan has facilitated hundreds of leadership workshops, retreats, trainings, conference presentations, and classes to 1,000s of participants across 5 continents.

In addition to serving as Executive Director & Master Trainer with Leadership Trainer, Jonathan has earned a PhD from Fielding Graduate University in Leadership with a focus in Group Mentoring. He coaches, consults, writes, teaches, and trains about leadership, mentoring, and training/facilitation.